Former BMW Exec to Run Cadillac Sales in Europe

Andreas Schaaf has been hired by General Motors Co. to head the European sales effort for the company's Cadillac luxury brand. He will begin his new job on July 1.

Schaaf, 44, succeeds Thomas Sedran, who is leaving the company. Sedran also handled sales for the Chevrolet brand, which is being phased out in Europe this year.

Schaaf joined BMW 19 years ago. He has sales and marketing experience in Africa, India, South Korea and eastern Europe. He will report to Johan de Nysschen, the former head of Nissan Motor Co.'s Infiniti brand who took over as president of the Cadillac brand in August. De Nysschen was president of Audi of America between 2004 and 2012.

Cadillac offers three models in Europe: the CTS sedan, SRX crossover vehicle and Escalade large SUV. Last year the unit sold fewer than 400 vehicles in Europe. GM is relaunching the brand in a bid to compete directly with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.